Willow Road Update - 8/15/08
IDOT continues work on repaving Willow Road westbound from the Edens to Sunset Ridge Road and eastbound from Hibbard to the Edens. The contractors will be cutting out patches of areas that need repair, then removing those areas, making the repairs before repaving. In areas where there are two westbound lanes, one lane will be closed and in areas with a single lane, flaggers will be used to guide the single lane of traffic alternating between eastbound and westbound. Watch for signs of lane closures. Work includes grinding and milling the old pavement, patching, removing and replacing curb and gutter in some areas and repaving of the entire section of Willow Road from the Edens to Sunset Ridge Road and Willow Road from the Edens east to Hibbard. Repairs to the bridge over the Middlefork of the North Branch of the Chicago River east of Bristol Street will also be part of the project. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to consider alternate east/west routes using Winnetka Road and Lake Street south of Willow and Dundee Road north of Willow. Work is scheduled to be completed in mid-October.
More Road Improvements - Cook County Doing Patching on Winnetka Road
Cook County Highway Dept. is patching potholes and along the edges of Winnetka Road from Waukegan Road to Hibbard. Watch for flaggers and lane switches during the patching. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the week, weather permitting. The Village is also doing roadwork as part of its 2008 Roadway Maintenance program. The following streets will be worked on during this week, weather permitting: --Enid Lane - mill --Red Barn Lane - install aggregate sub-base --Winnetka Court - remove existing roadway --Pleasantview Lane - continue removing existing roadway --Coventry Road - curb and gutter work --Earl Drive - install surface course --Red Barn, Enid & Winnetka Court - install leveling binder; install surface course --Pleasantview Lane - install aggregate sub-base Watch for signs and barricades.
Update on Re-Opening of Dominicks
At the July Board meeting, the Village Board approved modifications to Dominick's exterior and outdoor seating for customers purchasing food from their deli and cafe areas. Dominicks confirmed that they will not be opening a temporary pharmacy as originally planned. A Grand Re-Opening of Dominicks is planned for September 2008.
Have You Purchased Your Vehicle Sticker?
A 2008-09 Vehicle Sticker is required for all vehicles registered or garaged in the Village of Northfield. Stickers have been on sale since May 12 and were required to be displayed in the lower left hand corner (driver's side) windshield by June 30, 2008. A late payment penalty equal to 50% of the sticker fee is now in effect. Avoid a police citation and purchase your sticker at the Village Hall today.
Results of Survey on Stormwater Drainage being Prepared by Engineering Firm
Information on stormwater drainage in Northfield is being gathered from the almost 400 surveys (14%) submitted by residents. The engineering firm of Gewalt Hamilton Associates that was hired to conduct the study will be reviewing the survey data received and information from the public meeting. The next phase will include determination of possible solutions and the selection of potential improvements. At the same time, there will be an evaluation of potential funding sources. The final step in the process will be to prepare a report and present the findings to the Village Board and staff in December 2008.
Feasibility Study of Use of UP Tracks as Bike/Walking Trail Completed - Board to Review
The final feasibility study to convert the unused Union Pacific Railroad tracks located in the center of downtown Northfield and extending south in Glenview and Wilmette and north into Glencoe and Northbrook has been completed and the Committee of the Whole discussed the study on July 15 and authorized sending it to the Board for their August meeting. In addition they approved authorizing having the Village President sign a letter to Union Pacific asking for a railbanking lease in order to develop the railroad right of way. The communities of Northbrook, Glenview and Wilmette are also sending similar letters. The feasibility study shows how the unused Union Pacific railroad tracks can be turned into a linear park/walking/biking trail and connect to the Skokie Valley Trail in Lake County to the north and the Skokie Trail to the south. Development of this unused rail line would be a long term project for the Villages and it is hoped that with various grants and donations, this currently neglected tract of land can be turned into a strip of beauty providing a nature park for the area, and a walking and biking trail that would offer an alternate means of transportation and "Safe Route to School" as well as provide economic enhancements to community shops and restaurants.
Residential Burglaries
Dear Northfield Resident, In the last month there has been an influx in burglary activity in the northern suburbs, including Northfield. With respect to Northfield burglaries, it is apparent that more than one set of offenders is at work, as evidenced by differing methodologies of the crimes. Some are occurring in the middle of the night, some during the day. The nighttime burglaries are almost exclusively being committed against unsecured homes, where the daytime burglaries involve some use of force to gain entry. Items taken from homes include currency, jewelry, and plasma televisions. Sterling silver has also been a target, ostensibly due to its current high value; this includes tea sets, platters and flatware. Silver plated items are often segregated and left behind. Prevention can come in a few forms. First of all, lock your doors and set your alarm at night. Northfield is a community that is by and large safe from violence and many nuisances, but it is not immune to theft and burglary. Oftentimes, weak links in security are exploited, so the more we can secure our homes the better. As precious, and often irreplaceable, jewelry is a common target, consider storing such items in an off-site safe deposit box. Smaller lock boxes and home safes are often taken, less so if they are secured to the floor or a wall. If you don’t have access to a safe or lock box, be creative about where you store your valuables. Avoid the usual places. Another great prevention tool is to report all suspicious activity to the police department. Call us if you see suspicious vehicles or persons or if you hear suspicious noises. Since vehicles or persons may leave the area prior to our arrival, make note of as much detail as possible to give to the dispatcher or officer. Our objective is to find the best possible mix of a high sense security while still allowing you to enjoy your property and valuables. If you have any questions about the security of your home, call Detective Jones at 847 441-3842 to schedule a security review. Sincerely, William K. Lustig Chief of Police
Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Now Available
The annual Drinking Water Quality Report for the period January 1 to December 31, 2007 is now available on the website under "Newsletters" and has been mailed to all residents as required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Information is provided on Northfield's water as well as Winnetka's water since Northfield purchases its water from the Village of Winnetka. Northfield met or exceeded all State and Federal standards for water quality. The report summarizes the quality of water provided last year. No violations were recorded during this CCR report period.
Try the Easy Direct Debit Method of Paying Water Bills
Now the Village Finance Dept. has introduced direct debit by credit card! In addition to direct debiting of a checking or savings account, water bills can be charged directly to your credit card on the billing due date. To get started, just fill out the enrollment form available online by clicking here or at the Village Hall Finance Dept. (361 Happ, second floor). Once the form has been processed, a test transaction (for zero dollar amount) will be created and used to verify the accuracy of your account information. When the words "Autopay on MM/DD/YY" appear on your water bill, automatic direct debit payments have begun. Once enrolled, the Village will continue to charge your credit card, checking or savings account on the billing due date until a written notification from you is received to cancel the service. Of course, the Village also accepts payment by check mailed or brought to the Village Hall. Call the Village Finance Dept. with any questions, 847-446-9200 ext. 2225.
Willow Road Steering Committee Completes Meetings - Lakota Study Presented to the Village BoardThe Willow Road Steering Committee and the The Lakota Group have completed discussions and planning on Willow Road and have presented the final Lakota Study to the Northfield and Winnetka Village Boards. The study will be sent to Senator Jeff Schoenberg and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The final Lakota study is available on the website. All information from the various community meetings and the study will continue to be available for 6 months from the May 20 meeting. To access this information, click on "Keeping Up On Willow Road" and then click on the Lakota website at the bottom of the page, www.thelakotagroup.com/willowroad.
President Birkinbine Responds to Senator's Announcement on 4-Lane Willow Road
Click here to read President John Birkinbine's press release response to Senator Jeff Schoenberg's announcement of plans to widen all of Willow Road through Northfield to four lanes.
Village Partners with Recycling Company to Collect Small Electronics
Northfield now provides an opportunity for residents to displose of small electronics including old cell phones, DVD's, game consoles, MP3 players, digital cameras, digital video recorders and laptops/notebooks. White Plastic recycling containers have been added to the front lobby of the Village Hall, 361 Happ, and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building at 1800 Winnetka Road for the convenience of residents in disposing of these items. Tax donation letters are available on the bins and can be picked up at the time of drop off. Recycling Avenue is a service of Avenues to Independence, a non-profit organization formed to save the environment by recycling donated, small electronic items that it collects and disposes of in a proper manner while providing jobs for physically and mentally challenged persons. Items not accepted: computer monitors, printers, personal computers and toner cartridges. The Village Hall is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday and the Public Works/Fire-Rescue building is open 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras Now Activated
Following a 30 day warning period which ended April 14, tickets are now being written for red light violations caught by the photo enforcement cameras installed at the intersections of Willow and Waukegan Road and Willow and Wagner Road. Use of the cameras at these intersections have been installed to help decrease the potential for personal injury and property damage due to collisions caused by red light violations. The automated cameras work in conjunction with red light signals to record images of motor vehicles that cross the white stop line at an intersection after the light has turned red. Sworn officers review the red light videos and determine if a violation should be issued. When a violation is issued, the owner of the vehicle is sent a violation notice and a fine of $75. Any citation not paid by the due date will have an additional $100 late fee assessed for a total fine of $175.
Northfield Caucus Board Interview Application Now Available
The Village of Northfield is governed by a seven member Village Board. Board members are elected to four year terms. These terms are staggered so that at least three seats are up for election in the spring of each odd numbered year. Northfield elections are "non-partisan" so that each candidate actually runs independently. Any person who files the appropriate petitions with the election authorities is eligible and encouraged to run for any open seat. Additionally, an organization known as the Northfield Caucus has traditionally interviewed candidates for the Village President and Trustee positions. Any resident who is interested in running for a future board opening may fill out the Caucus Board Interview Application now available on this Village website. To get to the application, click on "Boards and Commissions" on the left side of the Home page and then on Board Interview Application. For consideration by the Caucus for the 2009 election, the Caucus has set an October 31, 2008 deadline for submission of applications. To find out more about the Northfield Caucus, its members and what they do, click on "External Links" on the left side of the Home page and on "Local Organizations" and "Northfield Caucus." If you have questions for the Caucus, email them at northfieldcaucus@gmail.com. Remember that the Northfield Caucus is an independent organization, not affiliated with the Village of Northfield and that any person may run as a candidate for Village President or Trustee irrespective of whether or not he or she has been interviewed by the Northfield Caucus.
Who to Call for Power Loss and Other Problems
ComEd, 1-800-334-7661: For electrical outages (no lights or other electricity). NICOR Gas, 1-888-642-6748: To report a natural gas odor. AT&T, 1-888-611-4466 (repair): For downed telephone lines or dead phones. Comcast Cable, 1-866-594-1234: For Cable TV service problems, burial of cable wires, internet or phone service problems (if service provided by Comcast). Waste Management, 1-800-796-9696: For waste/recycling, landscape waste pickups, special pickups and commercial size dumpsters. Northfield Public Works Dept, 847-441-3810: For water/sewer problems. Northfield Fire-Rescue Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies: For fires, medical emergencies, ambulance. Northfield Police Dept., 911 for Emergencies; 847-446-2131 for Non-Emergencies. For burglaries, suspicious persons or activity, accidents, gun incidents and other illegal or criminal activities.
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